تجارب الأمهات السعوديات في تربيــة أطفالهن من ذوي متلازمــة داون: دراسة نوعية في السياق السعودي

The study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers of children with Down's syndrome in raising children in the Saudi context, through the perceptions of these mothers. To achieve the study's objective, a qualitative research design was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with thirteen mothers of children with Down's syndrome. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The researcher identified three main themes, from which several subthemes branched out: The first theme was multiple societal conflicts, from which subthemes branched out: traditions and customs, relationships with society, and religious influence. The second theme was future challenges and fears, from which subthemes branched out: family life, resource burdens, hopes and desires. Finally, the third theme was new motherhood, from which subthemes branched out: marital relations, stigma, knowledge, and training. Several recommendations were proposed for mothers and decision-makers in organizations, the most important of which is: There is a need to educate mothers about adaptive coping styles for managing their new children with a new child with Down's syndrome in their family. Likewise, mothers should be encouraged to reach a stage of acceptance, abandon suffering, and seek compassion in order to reach relationships and mutual cooperation with society.
Keywords: Down's syndrome, Mothers of Children with Down's syndrome, Saudi Context.